MEI Pharma and Infinity Pharmaceuticals Announce Definitive Merger Agreement to Advance Three Promising Clinical Oncology Candidates
MEI Pharma and Infinity Pharmaceuticals have announced a merger agreement to create a combined company that will focus on advancing a diverse clinical-stage oncology pipeline. This includes three drug candidates: eganelisib, voruciclib, and ME-344, targeting various cancers. The merger is expected to be an all-stock transaction, with projected cash balance of approximately $100 million to fund operations through mid-2025. MEI shareholders are expected to own 58% and Infinity shareholders 42% of the new entity. The merger seeks to leverage combined expertise and resources to enhance therapeutic options for patients.
- Formation of a combined company with a diverse oncology pipeline, including three clinical-stage drug candidates.
- Projected cash balance of $100 million to fund operations and clinical trials until mid-2025.
- The lead drug, eganelisib, shows promising clinical activity across multiple cancer types and aims to enter a Phase 2 clinical trial.
- Merger completion is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, which may introduce delays.
- Potential integration challenges and uncertainties regarding the achievement of projected benefits from the merger.
Combination will create a company with a diverse product development pipeline led by a planned new global Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating eganelisib in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Projected
Companies to host conference call and webcast today at
The combined company’s clinical-stage oncology development pipeline consists of three differentiated programs:
- Eganelisib, an oral immuno-oncology macrophage reprogramming product candidate, which is planned to be evaluated in combination with the PD-1 targeted checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC);
- Voruciclib, an oral CDK9 inhibitor, currently being studied in combination with venetoclax (VENCLEXTA®) in patients with hematologic malignancies; and
- ME-344, a novel tumor selective mitochondrial inhibitor targeting the OXPHOS pathway, to be evaluated in combination with bevacizumab (AVASTIN®) in patients with relapsed colorectal cancer.
“We are very excited to enter into this agreement with Infinity given the strength of a combined organization that builds on each company’s potential. The combined organization will have three differentiated clinical-stage oncology assets, expected funding into mid-2025 to reach clinical data in all three programs, and a team with extensive oncology clinical development expertise. I believe these ingredients place the merged organization in a strong position to create value for all our stakeholders,” said
“With this planned merger, we are creating a company that is well capitalized to advance a differentiated clinical-stage therapeutic development pipeline leveraging an experienced drug development and leadership team,” said
“I am looking forward to leading the combined company which, beyond the promising clinical-stage pipeline, leverages the capabilities and resources of two organizations sharing a commitment to developing new oncology therapeutics. The combined company is built around extensive small molecule development experience based on solid science and backed by promising data,” said
About the Combined Clinical Pipeline Drug Candidates
The combined company’s pipeline includes three differentiated, clinical-stage, small molecule oncology therapeutic candidates:
-
Eganelisib: A potential first-in-class, oral, once-daily, immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits phosphoinositide-3-kinase gamma. Eganelisib has demonstrated encouraging clinical results and tolerability across a broad range of solid tumors in over 350 patients, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), as well as urothelial, ovarian and melanoma cancers. The combined company plans to initiate in Q3 2023, subject to
U.S. Food and Drug Administration review, a global, randomized, controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of eganelisib plus pembrolizumab vs pembrolizumab for the potential treatment of first line relapsed/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 study will be overall survival. In the second half of 2024 we plan to have initial data on safety and progression free survival. - Voruciclib: An orally administered Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor being clinically investigated for hematological malignancies. CDK9 has important functions in cell cycle regulation, including the modulation of two therapeutic targets in cancer: myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (MCL1) and the MYC proto-oncogene protein, which regulate cell proliferation and growth. Voruciclib is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b trial exploring dose and schedule in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and B-cell malignancies as a single-agent and in combination with venetoclax. The ongoing Phase 1b trial is expected to report initial results from the combination regimen around the end of 2023.
- ME-344: A novel, parenteral, tumor selective mitochondrial inhibitor drug candidate targeting the OXPHOS pathway involved in the production of adenosine. Clinical investigation of ME-344 is focused on use in combination with the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab (Avastin®). Data reported from an investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized study of ME-344 in combination with the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab (Avastin®) demonstrated biologic activity supporting further clinical investigation. Initiation of a Phase 1b trial is planned to evaluate ME-344 plus bevacizumab in patients with relapsed colorectal cancer in the first half of 2023. Data from the Phase 1b trial to support opening enrollment in an expansion cohort are expected to be reported around the end of 2023.
About the Proposed Merger
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Infinity will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Subject to shareholder approval and the subsequent closing of the merger, the combined company is expected to be renamed and trade on the
The merger agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. The merger is expected to close in mid-2023, subject to approvals by
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The conference call will also be webcast live here, as well as from the Events Calendar page in the Investors section of MEI Pharma’s website at www.meipharma.com and the Events & Presentations page in the Investors/Media section of Infinity’s website at www.infi.com. All participants are encouraged to join 10 minutes prior to the start time. An archived version of the webcast will be available on each company’s website for 30 days following the event.
About
About
Important Information about the Merger and Where to Find It
This communication relates to a proposed transaction between
Participants in the Solicitation
MEI, Infinity and their respective directors, executive officers and certain employees and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of MEI and Infinity in connection with the proposed merger. Securityholders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of MEI’s directors and executive officers in MEI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this filing may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. Such statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations of the management of MEI and Infinity that are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates and expectations will be achieved. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “continue,” “target,” “contemplate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “predict,” “possible,” “potential,” “pursue,” “likely,” and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions or events identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than historical facts, including statements regarding: the expected timing of the closing of the proposed merger; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed merger considering the various closing conditions; the expected benefits of the proposed merger, including estimations of anticipated cost savings and cash runway; the competitive ability and position of the combined company; the potential, safety, efficacy, and regulatory and clinical progress of the combined company’s product candidates, including the anticipated timing for initiation of clinical trials and release of clinical trial data and the expectations surrounding potential regulatory submissions, approvals and timing thereof; the sufficiency of the combined company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund operations; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from MEI’s and Infinity’s plans, estimates or expectations could include, but are not limited to: (i) the risk that the proposed merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect MEI’s and Infinity’s businesses and the price of their respective securities; (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed merger and the potential failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed merger, including obtaining stockholder and regulatory approvals; (iii) the proposed merger may involve unexpected costs, liabilities or delays; (iv) the effect of the announcement, pendency or completion of the proposed merger on the ability of MEI or Infinity to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and others with whom MEI or Infinity does business, or on MEI’s or Infinity’s operating results and business generally; (v) MEI’s or Infinity’s respective businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed merger and disruption of management’s attention due to the proposed merger; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the proposed merger or otherwise, or the impact of the proposed merger thereupon; (vii) MEI or Infinity may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (viii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement and the proposed merger; (ix) restrictions during the pendency of the proposed merger that may impact MEI’s or Infinity’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (x) the risk that MEI or Infinity may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the proposed merger, or that required governmental and regulatory approvals may delay the consummation of the proposed merger or result in the imposition of conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits from the proposed merger or cause the parties to abandon the proposed merger; (xi) risks that the anticipated benefits of the proposed merger or other commercial opportunities may otherwise not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (xii) the impact of legislative, regulatory, economic, competitive and technological changes; (xiii) risks relating to the value of MEI shares to be issued in the proposed merger; (xiv) the risk that integration of the proposed merger post-closing may not occur as anticipated or the combined company may not be able to achieve the benefits expected from the proposed merger, as well as the risk of potential delays, challenges and expenses associated with integrating the combined company’s existing businesses; (xv) exposure to inflation, currency rate and interest rate fluctuations, as well as fluctuations in the market price of MEI’s and Infinity’s traded securities; (xvi) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on MEI’s and Infinity’s industry and individual companies, including on counterparties, the supply chain, the execution of clinical development programs, access to financing and the allocation of government resources; (xvii) final data from pre-clinical studies and completed clinical trials may differ materially from reported interim data from ongoing studies and trials; (xviii) costs and delays in the development and/or
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Infinity Contact
Real Chemistry
Tel: 910-619-5764
lheagle@realchemistry.com
MEI Pharma Contacts
Tel: 858-369-7104
investor@meipharma.com
Tel: 619-849-6005
jason.spark@canalecomm.com
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